The Advantages of Involving Your Outsourced Assembly & Manufacturing Partners Early in Product Design
Written by Miranda Campagna
When it comes to successfully bringing a product to market, timing and collaboration are everything. For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), getting your manufacturing partner involved early in the design process can be the difference between smooth sailing and unexpected roadblocks that could delay launch or inflate costs. The earlier a partner is involved, the better the outcomes tend to be in terms of quality, cost, and delivery - not to mention the teams culture.
Here’s why involving your outsourced assembly and manufacturing partner in the early stages of product development can make the entire process smoother:
1. Improved Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
GMI Solutions has a proven track record of leveraging Design for Manufacturability (DfM) to help customers save time and money. By integrating DfM principles early in the product design process, GMI collaborates closely with OEMs to identify potential production challenges before they become costly issues. Our team provides expert insights on optimizing designs for efficient manufacturing, reducing complexity, and selecting the most cost-effective materials and methods.
2. Clearer Communication and Fewer Surprises
Early collaboration fosters a continuous dialogue between OEMs and their partners. This means potential issues can be identified and resolved well before they become costly delays or rework and scrap during production. Outsourced partners can also provide insight into the availability of materials, supply chain considerations, and production timelines, allowing for better planning and fewer surprises during the manufacturing phase.
We have seen this early engagement lead to the benefits listed above; a successful launch to manufacturing that is on time, on budget and can be celebrated.
3. Better Cost Control
By engaging with your assembly partner from the start, you can optimize material selection and production processes for cost-efficiency. This helps you avoid last-minute design changes that can drive up costs and ensures that you're using the most economical materials and methods from the outset. Early engagement also allows manufacturers to provide more accurate cost estimates and minimize the need for expensive design revisions.
4. Faster Time to Market
When your contract manufacturer is involved from the beginning, the transition from design to production becomes more seamless. Manufacturers who are already familiar with the product can begin tooling, production planning, and prototyping earlier, which ultimately shortens lead times and accelerates time to market. This early involvement reduces delays and bottlenecks, ensuring that your product reaches customers as quickly as possible.
This also eliminates the transfer of tribal knowledge from the OEM to the supplier. No matter how you work to document the product and process, it is impossible to eliminate the internal knowledge that is resident in the pre-production team. In a scenario where this knowledge can be captured before the release to manufacturing happens, these risks are greatly reduced.
5. Stronger Partnerships and Collaboration
When OEMs involve their contract partner early in the design process, it fosters a strong, collaborative partnership that enhances communication and problem-solving. Onsite visits enable hands-on collaboration, allowing both teams to align more effectively, while regular communication channels streamline the entire process. Manufacturers can provide real-time feedback and suggest improvements, helping to optimize both design and production.
6. Reduced Risk of Production Issues
Early involvement helps to foresee potential production risks and plan accordingly. Whether it's a design prone to assembly issues, a component that could cause bottlenecks or materials that might face supply chain challenges, the contract manufacturers can alert OEMs early on and recommend solutions. Addressing these risks early significantly reduces the chance of last-minute production issues that can derail a product launch. The assessment of risk should consider every stage of the product lifecycle, from development all the way through obsolescence.
Conclusion: Earlier Involvement, Greater Success
Involving your outsourced manufacturing and assembly partner early in the product design process offers numerous benefits, from improved communication and cost control to faster time to market. At GMI Solutions, we believe that early collaboration with OEMs is key to delivering products that not only meet quality standards but also optimize efficiency and profitability. By bringing your manufacturer into the conversation early, you ensure that your product development journey is smoother, faster, and ultimately more successful.
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Build Transfers: 12 Things Contract Manufacturers Need from OEMs
Ready to take the next step? Let’s collaborate early and see the difference it can make.
